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Wednesday,February 9, 2000 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER C1 An Oakville Beaver Feature To advertise in this section call 845-3824 Fax:337-5557 Business Ford opens child care centre By Claudia D'Souza SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Oakville-based Terratec purchased by Hamilton firm Oakville's Terratec Environmental Ltd., a leader in the beneficial use of municipal biosolids, has been purchased by the Hamilton-based Azurix North America. According to Azurix president John Stokes, the purchase provides his company, a water and wastewater service provider, with additional resources to serve clients in Canada and the United States. "We are delighted to have Terratec join our team," said Stokes. "Terratec's strength in the Ontario market and its exceptional environmental record give us a strong platform frorri which to expand our services into other Canadian and U.S. markets around the Great Lakes." Terratec has 25 years of experience managing safe and nutrient-rich solids reclaimed from treated wastewater that can be recycled onto agricultural land. This system reduces landfill demand and the use of chemical fertilizers. Azurix senior vice president of Residuals Management Lyle Brenzil believes Terratec has advanced the concept of the beneficial use of biosolids further than any single com pany in Canada. "By combining the strengths of the two companies we will be number one in Canada," said Brenzil. Terratec services 21 wastewater treatment plants and stor age facilities in southern Ontario municipalities from Halton and Waterloo Regions to Toronto. Terratec currently employs a workforce of approximately 80 people, all of whom have been retained by Azurix under the terms of the purchase contract. Azurix provides a range of water and wastewater ser vices, from carbon regeneration to biosolids management to more than 700 municipal and industrial facilities in Canada and the U.S. T he Ford Motor Company has established what most working parents would call a dream come true - on-site daycare. Recently, Ford President and CEO Bobbie Gaunt, Mayor Ann Mulvale and Bruce Ireland, CEO of the Oakville YMCA, presided over an offi cial ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new Ford Child Care Centre. Surrounded by colourful, seven-foot tall balloon "people," the three luminaries had a lit tle assistance from eight eager little helpers, scis sors in hand. Judging by the scores of smiling par ents and contented children, the Centre's already a big success. Operated by the Oakville YMCA staff of 12 teachers and care providers, the facility offers Ford employees and the community a state-of the-art learning environment for preschoolers. "The idea for this initiative began during the 1997 Ontario teachers' strike," explained Gaunt. "To help out, we allowed our employees to bring their children to work with them and established a temporary on-site day care -- an exercise so suc cessful, it suggested a need for on-going childcare on the premises." Shortly after the strike, a volunteer committee made up of employees conducted research that confirmed parents would make permanent use of on-site day care. Once a plan was finalized, all issues were resolved and a building erected, Ford selected the YMCA to operate the facility. "This facility really symbolizes the power of vision and cooperation. I would like to extend a personal thankyou to those employees who really worked hard to make this happen and the YMCA for partnering with us," added Gaunt. "This is a very important day in the life of the YMCA," said Ireland. "This is the first centre in which we've partnered with a corporation. The employees at Ford broke new ground and are the true heroes, as are our child care workers. There seems to be a dire need for child care in Oakville and we're proud of the quality of care we provide children. Our planned, daily curriculum lets them P hoto by B arrie E rskine Oakville Mayor Ann Mulvale and Ford President and CEO Bobbie Gaunt cut the official ribbon for the opening of the Ford Child Care Centre with the help of Jared Perron, Emily Hunt, and Marie Morey.. engage in enriching activities that are appropriate can't say enough about it," she smiled. "It's absolutely wonderful knowing he's so close by." to their age." Recently transferred to Oakville from Montreal, The 5,000 sq.ft. building designed by Mississauga-based Michael Spaziani Architect Inc. Ford corporate citizenship manager, Renee Belec and constructed by Cooper Construction of has two sons, Etienne and Cedric, enrolled at the Oakville, has a maximum capacity of 57 children. centre. "When you move to a new place the biggest There are currently 57 full-time and part-time chil worry is 'where are we going to put the kids?" she dren enrolled. Fees are determined on an individual said. "Knowing it's highly recommended by other basis depending on the age and the number of chil parents who are your co-workers, is important. It was a big load off our shoulders and perfect for us." dren registered by each family. Gaunt admits having the children nearby has The Centre features four educational programs taught in separate rooms: infant (6 weeks to 18 changed the atmosphere at Ford. "When you're months), toddler (18 months to 2 1/2 years), having a tough day, it gives a wonderful perspec preschool (2 1/2 years to 3.8 years) and junior and tive to visit the centre," she notes. "We see the chil senior kindergarten. Geared to each age group, dren playing and it lightens the mood. We all per each room is spacious and bright with tiny tables form best when stress is well-managed." As a happy aside, Gaunt credited her husband, and chairs and plenty of storage and toys. The Centre is also equipped with a full kitchen, Bob, with the idea of creating a unique menagerie two modem playgrounds, furnishings provided by of stuffed animals - one for each letter of the alpha Ford Credit Canada and five PC workstations bet. Purchased for the centre by Ford employees ensuring the children become computer literate at a and friends, the cuddly characters include a largervery early age. than-life blue bulldog, a yak and a penguin. For more information about the Ford Child Sanday Shaw, a Ford Credit Canada employee and a new mother, is thrilled the Centre allows her Care Centre, call Janet Caranci, Child Care Centre to be close to her 18-month-old son Matthew. "I Supervisor at 842-2511 ext. 2280. Maplegrove Home Hardware takes home the hardware Oakville's Maplegrove Home Hardware is the local winner o f a H ardware M erchandising O utstanding Retailer Award. The outlet won Best Hardware Store under 5,000 sq. ft. during the 9th annual awards presented Sunday at the Canadian Hardware and Building Materials Show in Toronto. Maplegrove is a traditional hardware store that is extremely well utilized with a layout that focuses on con venience. Outstanding Retailer Award winners are selected on the basis of merchandising skill, customer service, exteri or presentation, community involvement, advertising, store layout and design, dealer profitability and staff training. Hardware Merchandising is a national trade magazine. ----------------- V A L E N T IN E 'S D A Y ---------------- Now available with a romantic touch G i f t PHOTO BY PETER J. THOMPSON ,, m « « * 1 1 * Ren Job and his wife Sharon dive into their 25th Anniversary cake, celebrating the store's first quarter century on Saturday, February 5, 2000. n f a c e llu la r p h o n e Ren's PetsDepot turning into a zoo B y K y m F u n n e ll A Q u a lc o m m " Q C P 2 7 6 0 M o to r o la " DPC 6 5 0 e Dual M ode Digital PCS P h o n e A nalog P h o n e Product inj> not be as shown. S on* conditions apply. Oder subject to change and/or extension Limited time oiler and while supplies last. Taxes apply Bell Mobility is a trade-mark ol Bell Canada. Motorola is a trade-ma* ° f 'VMomla ^ Qualcomm is a trade-mark ol Qualcomm Inc. ta Sen/a is a registered trade-mark ol la Senza Inc. *On post-paid activations and at time of purchase only Oiler ends February. 14 2000 Air C ell Com m unications Inc. 481 North Service Road West (E a s t of 4th L in e ), O a k v il l e 9 0 5 - 8 4 7 - 5 7 0 0 e e ll M o b ilit y nimals came from far and wide to help Ren Job and his family cele brate their first 25 successful years in business. Ren's PetsDepot, a steadfast part of this community for 25 years, held an anniver sary party on Saturday, February 5, com memorating their first successful quarter of a century. CHWO radio was on site, live to air from the celebration between 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., taking comments from sev eral happy customers. Many patrons sim ply stopped by to wish the Job family well, while others tried to get some shopping done. Shopping was a bit difficult, as the store was crazy with customers and their happy pets swarming the store. From puppies and poodles to full grown dogs, many pets dropped by to thank Ren for the quality pet advice he's been offering for so many years. As for shopping, the cash register was hard to see and the line-up looked daunting. Also, many shopping efforts were hampered by the variety and quantity of free give-aways. Most of Ren's suppliers stopped by to wish them well, bringing var ious treats with them. (A good portion of their furry four-legged friends went home with full bellies, as did their owners.) Many of the day's first customers (start ing at 1:00 p.m.) received a free long stemmed red rose with their purchase, and food and beverages were plentiful through out the day. There was also the official cake-cutting ceremony at 2:00 p.m. As you can see below, Ren and his wife Sharon dove right into the festivities. Also taking part in the celebration were Ren's dedicated em ployees and fam ily members. His youngest son Colin runs the retail end of the business, as well as his own business - Runabout Kennel Systems. And of course, Patches the permanent kitty fixture in the store was also present taking advantage of the free samples. With balloons and pet treats, roses and cake, the day was an overall success. Many customers brought flowers and cards to congratulate Ren and his family on their accomplishments. Saturday was the store's second biggest day since opening, anc many people and animals witnessed the event. (There was anywhere from 30 - 40 dogs around throughout the day.) If you haven't been lately, drop by Ren's Pet Depot today for some sound animal advice and quality pet products. They are locatec at Trafalgar Road and B urnham thorpe Road.